Metal News for June 4, 2009

We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.

38 news articles posted on this day.

Testament has been working hard for almost thirty years. With the release of their latest album "The Formation of Damnation," a new found glory followed. The band is currently on tour with four original members and one who has been around long enough to be called original. I caught up with guitarist Eric Peterson on their stop in New Orleans where we talked about their trials, tribulations, and excitations. More...

In a recent interview with Metal Asylum, Testament guitarist Eric Peterson talked about the next studio album from Testament, what to expect and how the songs relate to the bands latest album, "The Formation Of Damnation." You can read some exerpts below.

Metal Asylum: Do you have any songs left over from the recording of The Formation Of Damnation and will they show up on the next album?

Peterson: "Yes. We have a lot of riffs left over, songs…maybe one or two ready to go. After the touring is done in September/October, I will start putting stuff together and hopefully the album will be out in 2010. A couple songs are complete, just not vocally. One song is a ballad and we haven’t had a slow one since Low (‘Trail Of Tears’), and this one is incredible, I love it. It reminds me of something off SCORPIONS' Lovedrive. It has a very festive feel, very wintery European feel. I came up with some new riffs recently, one after I saw the new Underworld prequel Rise Of The Lycans, couple chords progressions. No lyrics yet for the new stuff." More...

Children of Bodom bassist, Henkka T. Blacksmith, has commented on the band's May 9th show in New York, following frontman Alexi Laiho's injury:

"New York show was a disaster. Something that we have been always afraid of. And during the last two weeks of the No Fear -tour we were really afraid during every show, we had no idea if Alexi's ribs and shoulder would make it through the set.

"Last hit in Hellhounds on my Trail and I saw a guitar flying into the Jaska's drum riser. Alexi was gone. I knew that now it was too much, and then back of the stage I saw him, and crew said he can't go on. It's horrible feeling, when there's a couple of thousand fans in New York city waiting for next song. There was nothing we could do though... It sucks.

"Two weeks of rest and we rehearsed again, and it seemed better. The shoulder is fully healed, but a broken rib is still hurting when singing. First show since 'NYC disaster' was to be in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Rock Hard -festival. Before the show we just had to hope for the best, that everything would go ok. During the show I saw that he was gonna make it, even though still not able to move normally, but the look in Alexi's face was totally different than during the last days of the tour. We pulled it off, and German crowd was good, as it always is in Rock Hard. Thanks everybody who was there! Next week, we go to Pohjanmaa, Seinäjoki where Provinssirock is held. Looking forward, crazy drunken Finns and almost nightless nights."

Children of Bodom will be teaming up with fellow Finns Amorphis on a South American tour this fall. Dates are:

Dying Fetus have announced the title and release date for their forthcoming full-length. The band’s seventh studio recording, "Descend Into Depravity," is set for a September 15th North American release date via Relapse Records. "Descend Into Depravity" was recorded at Wright Way Studios with producer Steve Wright in the band’s hometown of Baltimore, MD. Additional album details, including a preview of the artwork, will be made available shortly.

The rampaging orcs of the Gore-Stained Axe Tribe made their way into our world to pillage and destroy, but decided to start making brutal music instead when they heard the sounds of Slayer. Their first album "WarChiefs of the Apocalypse" was unleashed onto the human world in the summer of 2007 under the name A Band Of Orcs. I managed to get an interview out of the orcs, in between their attempts to eat me and add my skull to their pile. More...

Seattle based metal outfit Nevermore will be entering the studio at the end of August to record their brand new studio album, "The Obsidian Conspiracy." The record is expecting an early 2010 release date through Century Media Records.

Vocalist Warrel Dane states: "These songs are full of newfound rage, lyrically and musically. Jeff Loomis has come up with some amazing new riffs that will no doubt please old and new fans alike. Also, I think the combination of Peter and Andy will result in something very, very special"

Kreator has issued the following announcement about upcoming Russian tour dates:

"Hi everyone!

"Kreator are extremely proud to announce that they will be doing a four club tour in RUSSIA this September! They are quite excited about the chance to play Russia again. The dates and clubs are as follows:

A one minute video preview of the new video game Guitar Hero: Van Halen, has been posted online via YouTube. You can check it out below. The video game is expected to be released later this year along with Guitar Hero 5 and DJ Hero. More details are expected to be announced soon. More...

Deathcode Society is currently offering the two tracks from their demo "Ite Missa Est" for download online. The songs "The Inner Vortex," and "Seraphic Requiem" can be downloaded at the band's MySpace page.

Dagor Dagorath has issued the following statement about streaming a new song on their MySpace page:

"We recently uploaded a new song 'The Devil on the Chain' from our upcoming album, you can have a listen in our profile player. And we also got a new myspace design, check it out and tell us what you think!"

The song comes from the band's upcoming album “Yetzer Ha'Ra," which will be released later this summer by both the Dutch label Ziekte-NL and the Russian label More Hate Productions.

Unleashed has issued the following update about their upcoming summer festival schedule:

"Warriors of Midgard !!!

"Unleashed celebrates 20 years of Viking Death Metal in 2009! So join us on the upcoming festivals. Raise your goblets and horns in a toast to the past, and blot to Odin for victory in the coming 20 years! Unleashed will always continue to represent the rebellion against all that is false and unjust.

"Wherever the oppression still has the upper hand against our kin, they need to understand that their actions will have consequences. The Battalions of the world are growing stronger by the day.....and retaliation will be merciless.

Oderus Urungus, lead singer of shock rock band Gwar, has been booked to wrestle former ECW wrestler Tracy Smothers at the Schoenbaum Amphitheater, Coonskin Park, Charleston, WV on June 24th.

Oderus states: "I have no idea how I got roped into this one. I guess someone is making money off it. No matter! I will be there, with bells on, and this Tracy Smothers so-and-so is going to find out just what it's like to go toe-to toe with an intergalactic god! I just hope he shaves his armpits first." More...

Finnish metal outfit Amorphis has scored a number one album with their new studio record, "Skyforger" in their native country, beating such big name artists such as Marilyn Manson, Green Day and Eminem to the top spot. The album has not yet received a North American release but will hit the shelves shortly on June 16th.

New Jersey based metal act God Forbid has posted their new music video online for the song, "War Of Attrition." You can check it out below. The song comes from the bands latest studio album, "Earthsblood" which in stores now.

Guitarist Doc Coyle states: “Shooting videos kinda sucks. Especially performance videos. You have to head bang for 10 hours in a row, fake play your songs, and you don't even know if all the work will pay off with an awesome video. With that said, this is by far the best performance video we've ever had and it really captures the intensity of the song. As you can see from the clip, we really put our trust in Ian who was incredible to work with. Ian and his crew were super professional. I can't wait for everyone to see the finished product. And like Dave Chappelle says, ‘Everything looks better in slow motion.’ See you all this summer.” More...

Chaosanct has issued the following update about revealing the cover art for their upcoming EP "The Ascendance of Impurity:"

"A little update before the music is officially unveiled shortly, but here is the cover artwork along with our new logo! This is also the print on our first ever tshirt which will be available as soon as we get it up on ebay or the web store :)

"We'll be putting up some new tracks, and some o the older tracks up online soon, with the older ones now featuring the ferocious guitarwork of our resident fretboard wizard Paul Scanlan!"

Carpathian Forest has issued the following announcement about people pretending to be front man Nattefrost on the internet:

"When he's one of the dozens of fakes on MySpace and elsewhere pretending to be NATTEFROST! We've even had someone getting bands to send music.

"So please be careful when someone says they are NATTEFROST because 99.9999% of the time you can be sure it's NOT. He is rarely on the internet and never uses MSN or any other form of Instant Messaging.

"So just to be certain, the pages below are the ONLY pages anywhere that are run by NATTEFROST and his management, and no other pages claiming to be NATTEFROST or CARPATHIAN FOREST (yep, there are lots of those too) have any contact with him whatsoever:

French metallers Gorod have announced that they will be having a release party for their upcoming album "Process Of A New Decline." The party will take place on June 12th at the Heretic Club in Bordeaux.

Italian alternative melodeath metallers Destrage just signed with Coroner Records for the release of their debut album entitled "Urban Being." The album features an incredible technical approach and some of the most versatile musicianship you will ever hear.

"Urban Being" has been produced by Ettore Rigotti (Disarmonia Mundi, Slowmotion Apocalypse, Stigma) and will be released on June 24th.

A few weeks back MetalSucks interviewed Howard Jones and Mike D'Antonio about the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album. That interview will run soon enough, but for now there's some news we just have to share regarding new music from BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED, the band Jones and drummer Justin Foley were in prior to KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.

Back in January, BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED guitarist Corey Unger confirmed that he was, at long last, writing a new album, but hinted that Jones and Foley might be involved in only limited capacity, if at all. Unger stated that "There is a vast mix of people who will be involved in this project including the original members. The line-up of musicians is very artistically driven based on the album’s style."

Here's what Jones had to say on the matter during the interview with MetalSucks.net:

MetalSucks: There was some news a little while ago that there might be another Blood Has Been Shed album. Are you involved in that still in any capacity?

Howard Jones: Well... yeah [laughs].

MetalSucks: They made it sound like you might not be coming back...

HJ: We're just trying to figure out what exactly it is that we're going to do. Blood Has Been Shed is just one of those things where none of us do it full time, barely part time. We'll get something out.

HJ: I don't know how it went to another level, but whew boy. I can actually say I've never heard anything like this.

MD: It might have to do with Corey getting struck by lightning twice.

HJ: Probably. Dude was insane as it is, but now . . . wow [laughs]. Wow. Musically, I've never heard anything like it. It's still heavy and very confusing. I would just go, "How am I supposed to sing over this?"

British heavy metal outfit Ventflow are the latest band to be added to Bloodstock Open Air festival in Derbyshire this year. The band earned the spot after winning a battle of the bands. Ventlow will be releasing their anticipated debut album, "Terrorsiah" in July of this year.

Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy has confirmed that the band will be heading into the studio in a few weeks to record their brand new studio album which will be released later this year. This will be the bands first album of original material for ten years. Stay tuned for further updates.

New York's death metal legends Suffocation has announced a contest for fans over the age of 18. The band want fans to submit their interpretation of purgatory in the form of a sketch, drawing, painting, collage, or other visual work created with pencil, ink, pastel, oil and/or other constituents (a contestant’s "Entry"). Email your submissions to mail@nuclearblastusa.com with the subject heading of “Suffocation – Images of Purgatory Contest” followed by your full name, address and home number. The grand prize includes a Suffocation hoodie, a Suffocation beanie, a copy of the new album "Blood Oath", trading cards, an autographed poster, a pair of drumsticks and a guitar pick. Two runners up will win a copy of the album and an autographed poster.

The band has also announced a limited edition package deal for their forthcoming new studio album, "Blood Oath." The offer is exclusive to the Nuclear Blast USA store and includes:

Extreme metal band Ignominious Incarceration has announced that they will be touring Britain next month along with The Boy Will Drown, Bleed From Within and The Argent Dawn.

Ignominious Incarceration drummer Sam Bailey states: "Masters of Metal tour is a combination of our favourite UK metal bands. Not to mention touring with amazing dudes, we are hitting some of our favourite venues in the country, which means the antics that will take place over this 7 day UK tour will be legendary. Everything will be recorded and documented over our YouTube page, from the pits and gigs to the drinking and antics. You seriously can't miss this tour!"

Canadian extreme metal outfit Despised Icon has revealed that their new studio album will be entitled, "Day Of Mourning." They have also announced that they will be releasing the album on September 22nd through Century Media Records. More...

Swedish death metal outfit As You Drown has posted another new song online entitled, "Swallow." You can check it out at the official Metal Blade Records Myspace. The song will appear on the bands debut studio album, "Reflection" which is scheduled to be released in earlt July via Metal Blade Records.

The second annual THRASH & BURN TOUR will be headlined by California metallers DevilDriver, with direct support from New England hardcore outfit Emmure. The North American tour kicks off July 24 in San Diego. The full list of tour dates can be found below. The THRASH & BURN TOUR 2009 will be offering a very special presale starting early next week.

The THRASH & BURN TOUR 2009 showcases a diverse mix of underground metal bands and features many of today’s heaviest hitters and up-and-comers including Despised Icon, MyChildren MyBride, Veil of Maya, For the Fallen Dreams, Oceano, Periphery, and Thy Will Be Done. Several stops on the tour will see the addition of a special guest band, for a total of 10 national acts each night.

DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara commented on the upcoming tour and his band’s headlining slot: “The time could not be better for DEVILDRIVER and THRASH & BURN to come together to support the UNDERGROUND! We are elated to bring our first full headlining tour of major markets and combine it with THRASH & BURN’s pick of new, up and coming, heavy bands. Affordable tickets, combined a full package of amazing bands with a wide range of different styles and sounds, will make for an insanely killer time for those who come out to the shows. Raise your glasses; this will be a tour to remember! Hail.”Here are the latest THRASH & BURN 2009 tour dates, with more to be announced:

Vader and Marduk will be teaming up to co-headline the Funeral Nation tour in Europe this Autumn. A message from Massive Music Booking & Promotional Agency reads:

"After long days of negotiations and preparations hereby we would like to announce Funeral Nation Tour 2009 - a co-headlining European tour of two well known metal monsters VADER and MARDUK. It's going to be a special event for all black and death metal freaks the more so because the tour will promote bands' newest full length albums. Vader is ready to unleash hell with their brand new monster Necropolis (to be out in August 21 through Nuclear Blast) while Marduk is working on a new opus for Regain Records. Be prepared for a massive panzer attack, ashes, burning ground and total destruction. During this killing trek the co-headliners will be supported by amazing Italian brutal death metal band FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and one more act (soon to be announced). Funeral Nation Tour 2009 will cover most of European regions except for the UK, Scandinavia, the Balkans and Baltic States. Marduk and Vader are planning to invade these places early 2010!"

Black Label Society leader Zakk Wylde has revealed that Five Finger Death Punch and Seventh Void (featuring members of Type O Negative) will be touring with the band along with Mudvayne and Static-X later this year.

"It's a small world, so everybody knows everybody. I've known the guys since the OZZFest. So we're going to have a fucking blast. (It will be) Static-X, Mudvayne, a couple guys from TYPE O NEGATIVE started their own band (SEVENTH VOID) so they got that thing going on. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH. There's six bands on the fucking bill so we're going to have a good fucking time."

Ozzy Osbourne is suing the original members of Black Sabbath, claiming all four should share naming rights of the band. I’m assuming Ozzy is referring to Toni Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Sharon Osbourne…. More...

Canadian thrash metal outfit Threat Signal has posted some more songs online from their new studio album, "Vigilance." You can check out the songs "The Beginning Of The End" and "Beyond Recognition" at the band's official Myspace. The band has also revealed the tracklisting for the album which is as follows:

Everett Mason is one busy guy. As singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Canadian metal band Ape, he doesn’t get much time for anything besides his music. Add to that the fact that Ape is currently an unsigned band who just released their second album, "Survival of the Fittest," and are busy marketing the album and themselves to the Canadian and U.S. music scenes. Fortunately, Everett took time out recently to chat with me about the unique origin of the band’s name, the struggles of self-promotion, and what it’s like to be a metal fan and musician. More...

Canadian heavy metal outfit 3 Inches Of Blood has revealed that their new studio album will be entitled, "Here Waits Thy Doom." The album will be released later this year through Century Media Records. Stay tuned for further details.

Finnish gothic rock outfit The 69 Eyes has announced that their new studio album, "Back In Blood." The record will be released at the end of August through Nuclear Blast Records. It was produced by Matt Hyde and features a special guest appearances from Ed Mundell of Monster Magnet.

American thrash metal legends Slayer has announced that the title of their new studio album will be, "World Painted Blood." The record was produced by Greg Fidelman and will be released later this year through Columbia Records.

In a recent interview with Ohio's QFM96, Gene Simmons spoke a little about the new KISS record and what to expect from the album. Simmons states:

"It's the first studio album in 11 years. You can't force those things - it's in your blood and it's happening. I have to say, this might be the best new record we've done since Destroyer. In fact it has a similar sound; Rock And Roll Over meets Love Gun sounding record. That's coming out in September/Octrober and then we will be doing a 60-city American tour."

Fozzy, the heavy metal band featuring wrestling superstar Chris Jericho and members of Stuck Mojo, has posted a sample of a new song entitled, "Martyr No More" online. You can check it out at their official Myspace. the song will be appearing on the bands forthcoming fourth studio album, "Chasing The Grail" which will be released later this year.